BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Building Department is a multi-faceted department, with its major roles to promote public safety and assist statutory body & local regulations. By enforcing National building Codes, the Cap 125 Local Government, Cap 111 Public Health, Cap 139 Town Planning, Cap 142 land Development, EMA, HSAW.
Nadi Town Council started receiving rural applications and the proposal extended boundary applications on October 01st, 2018. The extended areas proposed are as below;
- 1. Waimalika – part of Legalega
- 2. Nasoso, Naisosovu Island and part of Sanasana
- 3. Votualevu –Malawai
- 4. Enamanu- Wailoaloa
- 5. Nadi by-pass road & Back Road areas.
- 6. Narewa- Denarau Island
- 7. Navo –Malolo
The areas are within the Nadi Peri Urban area with two areas in the Nadi Rural area & has an approximate surveyed land area of 1096 hectares.
OBJECTIVE:
To ensure full compliance to the law that include the Cap 125 Local Government, Cap 111 Public Health, Cap 139 Town Planning, Cap 142 land Development, EMA, HSAW and National Building Code of Fiji, ensuring the compatibility and protection of adjacent land uses and the maintenance and sustainability of properties to preserve the quality of life for Town of Nadi residents and visitors.
Building application process
Before constructing a structure, the building plans must be assessed and approved by the Department. The building approval process is:
- Lodge a building application with the relevant forms, documents and fees
- The building application is processed by an officer in accordance to the National building code and comments from other agencies.
- For outline building applications, the application will be assessed by building inspection officers and will be forward to Department of Town & Country Planning for the Director consents in principle subject to conditions
- For detailed applications, the Manager Building, Planning & Engineering consents subject to conditions or refuses, whereby the applicant can make necessary amendments and re-submit the application
Application Requirements
When lodging an application with the Municipal Council, you must provide the following documents:
- All plans to be prepared by registered Consultants.
- All drawing submitted shall be computer aided i.e. (AutoCAD, Vector works etc.) to Council standard. No manual hand drawings shall be permitted.
- Applications to include 3 sets of plans, and two (2) sets of specifications.
- Title Copy/Legal Ownership Documents to be submitted.
- Landlord’s Consent [NLTB, Lands Department, Housing Authority]
- Plans to contain Water Authority of Fiji’s sewer connection consent
- Plans to be certified by a registered structural engineer, including Design Certificate.
- Bill of Quantity to be submitted
For all workplaces e.g., Commercial, Industrial or where applicable to provide
- Ministry of Labour (HSAW) consent on plans and prior approval certification
- National Fire Authority (NFA) certification for fire compliance on plans.
- Developers/owner of land must engage competent and qualified Registered Consultants who possess current Professional Indemnity Insurance Policies.
- All plans and specifications to comply with National Building Code of Fiji Cap 111, Public Health Act and General Provision.
- Application must contain a copy of the Bill of Quantities endorsed from a registered Quantity Surveyor.
Compliance/Inspections
To ensure the building is in compliance with the Building Permit, approved plans and specification, inspections are required at various stages of construction, the developer or the owner needs to see the department to book an inspection and provide the following information:
- Inspection booking – Appointment to be made one (1) day prior to inspection date.
- Adress of the site for inspection
- Stage of work for inspection required.
- If the inspector feels that work does not meet the building permit requirements, then a re-inspection would be required and fees of $57.50 will applied. If the inspection has been missed, then contact the department and provide evidence that the work is in compliance with the building permit in order get council’s approval to proceed with construction works.
Stages for Inspection
- Boundary clearance
- Sub-structure
- Foundation
- Footing
- Super-structure
- Floor/slab
- Column
- Beam
- Suspended slab
- Roof framing
- Completion
- Drainage
- Plumbing
- Compliance documentation.
Illegal Development
Any building constructed without a building permit is deemed illegal. All developments have to be in compliance with the Public Health Act Cap III, Town/City building Regulations, National Building Code of Fiji, Town Planning Act Cap 139, Town Planning Scheme General Provisions and other by-Laws. The Council has the right to penalize people if they are found guilty of breaching the Law.
Application Fees
You must pay a development application fee when you lodge your application. Fees are calculated according to the value provided by the Applicant.
Lodging an Application
We recommend to have a pre-consultation meeting with the Building & Health team to help you prepare your planning application. This is not mandatory but will save you time and make the process easier.
Application Timeline
The processing time line for building applications is 20 working days. During the assessment period, the Department liaises with the Applicantl for further information and amendments if necessary.
Expired Approvals
Building Plan approvals have a validity of one (1) year. If your Building plan approval has expired, your can request for the plan to be renewed with a renewal fee of $15 per year.